Jim Copenhaver, one of the two attendees wounded in the 2024 attempted assassination of former President Trump at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally, has died. He was 76. His death, announced earlier this week, adds a second fatality to the incident that shook the political landscape.
Trump took to Truth Social on Friday to express his condolences, writing: "God bless American Patriot and Warrior, James Copenhaver, and his incredible family. May he rest in peace!!!" In a separate post on Thursday, he described Copenhaver as a "true American patriot" and called his passing a "tremendous loss."
In his message, Trump recounted the events of July 13, 2024, when a gunman opened fire at the rally, grazing Trump's ear and striking Copenhaver and another attendee, Corey Comperatore, who died at the scene. Copenhaver was hit twice, in the arm and abdomen, suffering nerve damage. Trump praised Copenhaver's resilience, noting that after being wounded while protecting his family, he "showed tremendous bravery, courageously continuing to FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, and maintaining a positive spirit despite unimaginable hardships." He extended prayers to Copenhaver's wife, Marianne.
The House Republican Conference was the first to announce Copenhaver's death on Thursday, expressing deep sadness and noting he was "gravely wounded in the horrific shooting." The news has reignited calls for transparency from GOP lawmakers.
Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona wrote that Copenhaver's passing "should serve as continued motivation to provide sufficient answers and closure for the investigation into the attempted assassination of President Trump in Butler, where two innocent lives have now been lost."
The Butler shooting remains a focal point of political scrutiny, with questions lingering about security failures and the gunman's motives. Copenhaver's death underscores the human toll of that day, as the second victim's death intensifies GOP pressure for a full accounting.
Trump's tribute also framed Copenhaver's sacrifice within his broader political narrative, saying the gunman "attempted to stifle our America First Movement" but that "Jim and so many other wonderful Patriots who love our Country, stood united in defense of our shared values of Freedom, Liberty, and Justice."
The investigation into the shooting, led by the FBI and other agencies, has yet to produce a final public report. Lawmakers from both parties have called for hearings, and some GOP senators have linked national security threats to broader concerns about preparedness, though no direct connection has been made.
Copenhaver's death is a somber reminder of the violence that punctuated the 2024 campaign season. As the nation mourns, his family has requested privacy, and no funeral arrangements have been announced.
